Indian Institute of Technology is more than just an institution, it is a dream nurtured by thousands of aspirants in India. They move to places like Kota Factory to fulfill their dreams and get into this prestigious university. However, over time, degrees are losing their value. Thanks to artificial intelligence. In a world overflowing with information, one question repeatedly unnerves students: Is a degree from an elite university still worth the effort?
As artificial intelligence reshapes learning and challenges the traditional value of a university degree, Anahad CEO Shikhar Agrawal, an IIT Bombay alumnus, believes the institution’s greatest return on investment is not its prestigious label but the transformative peer environment that continues to shape ambition, innovation and lifelong growth.
For many students preparing for competitive entrance exams, the issue is not just tuition or salary packages. It’s about whether years of relentless preparation will still make sense when artificial intelligence appears to be able to deliver information on demand.It was this controversy that prompted entrepreneur Shikhar Agrawal, co-founder and CEO of Anahad, to reflect on his own experiences over the years. Indian Institute of Technology Bombay Real meaning.
A problem that refuses to go away
Five years after leaving IIT Bombay and starting his own business, Agrawal says one question has been nagging him.“Are IITs really worth it or is it just hype?”He noted in a recent LinkedIn post that this question has become even more important in the age of artificial intelligence. With conversational AI tools capable of explaining almost any concept, many believe the value of traditional degrees is starting to disappear.Agrawal, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from IIT Bombay in 2021, acknowledges that artificial intelligence has fundamentally changed the way knowledge is acquired. Information once locked away in classrooms, textbooks, and expensive courses is now available to almost anyone with an Internet connection.However, he believes this is precisely why people misunderstand the true return on investment of studying at an institution like the IITs.
The most important lesson is never taught in class
Agrawal’s argument stands apart from the traditional narrative surrounding elite institutions. He attributes much of his success to classroom lectures, academic syllabuses, and not to the prestige that comes with studying at an Indian Institute of Technology.Instead, for him, the greatest gift of this educational institution lies in something intangible but enduring: its people.For him, spending four years with ambitious and talented people made him realize that he could aspire to more in life.Surrounding himself with peers who were constantly creating, questioning, solving problems, and dreaming, his perspective completely changed. He believes that this influence comes not from formal mentorship but from daily exposure to excellence.
goldfish metaphor
To explain his point, Agrawal cited an analogy that has received widespread response online. He wrote that the growth of a goldfish depends on the environment in which it lives. Place it in a small bowl so it’s only a few inches long. Move it to a larger aquarium and it will get bigger. Put it in a pond and its growth will expand further.For Agrawal, IIT Bombay is that pond. The purpose of comparison is not for better buildings, laboratories, or campus facilities. This is an environment created by thousands of students who constantly inspire, challenge and compete with each other.His message is simple: People tend to grow in line with the expectations and ambitions of those around them.
Artificial intelligence changes the value equation
Ironically, Agrawal thinks the AI enhanced, rather than diminished, his appreciation of the experience.Artificial intelligence has democratized information in ways that were unimaginable just a few years ago. It becomes very easy to learn programming languages, understand complex scientific concepts or gain technical knowledge.Knowledge itself is no longer a scarce resource. What remains scarce, he believes, is an ecosystem that continually stretches individuals beyond their comfort zones.While algorithms can answer questions in seconds, they cannot replicate the subtle but powerful impact of ambitious people who spend years raising the bar.Agrawal believes that daily exposure to curiosity, innovation and healthy competition can shape thinking in ways that chatbots or search engines cannot.
real return on investment
For decades, discussions about institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology have largely focused on placements, salary packages and global rankings.Agrawal’s reflections took the conversation elsewhere. Perhaps the true value of elite institutions lies less in degree certificates and more in the intangible networks of ideas, friendships, collaborations, and intellectual challenges that students carry with them long after they graduate.In an era where artificial intelligence is rapidly closing the gap in knowledge acquisition, competitive advantage may increasingly come from something technology still struggles to recreate—the human ecosystem that encourages people to think bigger than they normally would.For students who are considering whether attending an elite college is worth it, Agrawal’s answer is nuanced. Now, information provided within IIT classrooms can be accessed more easily from anywhere. But he believes the experience of growing up alongside thousands of exceptionally hard-working peers remains one of the institution’s most enduring and perhaps irreplaceable strengths.
